In a world with a constant news cycle filled with devastating and depressing news stories, it’s easy to have a negative mindset and to think that life will always be filled with doom and gloom. How do we spread encouragement like wildfire in these times?

Before we get stuck in a spiral of negativity, we must remember this:

Be thankful in all things. All THINGS.

Be thankful for the van that’s pushing 150,000 miles.

Be thankful for the child who lost their dinner due to an upset tummy.

Be thankful for that last slice of Gluten Free toast you just burned.

And when you feel air in your lungs again, go and bless your neighbor. Take that hope you have in your heart and share it with a friend. Don’t keep it to yourself but take what you’ve learned and remind someone that there is hope and that there is a GOD who cares about every aspect of their life.

According to Oxford Languages, Thanksgiving means:

“the expression of gratitude, especially to God.”

“(in North America) an annual national holiday marked by religious observances and a traditional meal including turkey. The holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621, and is held in the US on the fourth Thursday in November. A similar holiday is held in Canada, usually on the second Monday in October.”

We celebrate a whole day where we’re supposed to stop and be grateful for what we’ve been given and for the people around us. We must love and encourage people.

Think of how you can intentionally encourage a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or someone in your community.

Send A Text

Think of five names and pray for these people every day. They could be friends or family members. Send them a specific Bible verse sharing that God loves them so much! After you’ve prayed for your friend or family member, text that person and let them know. Send a verse in that message.

Marco Polo App

Download and use the Marco Polo app (You can send video messages back and forth with a friend.) to connect with friends who you don’t get to talk with all the time. Perhaps, you both have busy schedules and it’s hard to meet in person. Use the app to send them a funny message and make them laugh. Share a funny story from your day.

Handwritten Notes

Pick three people in your community and write three notes of encouragement every week. Think of a neighbor, someone at church, or a local school. Encourage someone who just lost a parent, a person who is fighting an illness. Celebrate a friend who is about to have a big birthday. Notes are so special. They are treasures among mundane envelopes in your mailbox.

Make this Thanksgiving less about the turkey and the sides and more about the person to your left, the person to your right, and the person sitting across from you. Life is precious and is not guaranteed. We should be grateful for every new morning. We must love and build up our family and friends at Thanksgiving as well as the other 364 days of the year. May we have generous hearts as we spread hope, truth, joy, and kindness this season.

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